Previewing the Ravens vs. the Denver Broncos [Pictures]

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Justin Edmonds, Getty Images

Will the Ravens be able to contain the Denver Broncos' passing game? Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning, pictured, is the lone four-time Most Valuable Player in NFL history, generating 4,659 passing yards and 37 touchdowns last season on 68.6 percent accuracy as he made a healthy return from...

Will the Ravens be able to contain the Denver Broncos' passing game? Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning, pictured, is the lone four-time Most Valuable Player in NFL history, generating 4,659 passing yards and 37 touchdowns last season on 68.6 percent accuracy as he made a healthy return from... (Justin Edmonds, Getty Images)

Are the Broncos vulnerable without Champ Bailey? A 12-time Pro Bowl selection, Broncos veteran cornerback Champ Bailey, pictured, was supposed to match up with Ravens wide receiver Torrey Smith. Bailey has been ruled out, though, with a foot injury. Chris Harris will start in his place at left...

Are the Broncos vulnerable without Champ Bailey? A 12-time Pro Bowl selection, Broncos veteran cornerback Champ Bailey, pictured, was supposed to match up with Ravens wide receiver Torrey Smith. Bailey has been ruled out, though, with a foot injury. Chris Harris will start in his place at left... (Ron Jenkins, McClatchy-Tribune)

How much time will Joe Flacco have to throw? The Broncos' formidable pass rush has been severely depleted. Between Pro Bowl outside linebacker Von Miller being suspended for the first six games for violating the NFL substance-abuse policy and Elvis Dumervil now playing for the Ravens, the...

How much time will Joe Flacco have to throw? The Broncos' formidable pass rush has been severely depleted. Between Pro Bowl outside linebacker Von Miller being suspended for the first six games for violating the NFL substance-abuse policy and Elvis Dumervil now playing for the Ravens, the... (Karl Merton Ferron, Baltimore Sun)

Is Ray Rice going to be heavily utilized? The Ravens pounded the Broncos last season in the playoffs with a physical downhill running game. Pro Bowl running back Ray Rice was the centerpiece, following big blocks from fullback Vonta Leach and guard Marshal Yanda for long gains. He finished with...

Is Ray Rice going to be heavily utilized? The Ravens pounded the Broncos last season in the playoffs with a physical downhill running game. Pro Bowl running back Ray Rice was the centerpiece, following big blocks from fullback Vonta Leach and guard Marshal Yanda for long gains. He finished with... (Karl Merton Ferron, Baltimore Sun)

Who is Julius Thomas? Julius Thomas is the Broncos' starting tight end. A former college basketball player at Portland State, Thomas' athleticism is impressive. The 6-foot-5, 250-pound former All-Big Sky Conference selection. In his lone season of football, he caught 29 passes for 453 yards and...

Who is Julius Thomas? Julius Thomas is the Broncos' starting tight end. A former college basketball player at Portland State, Thomas' athleticism is impressive. The 6-foot-5, 250-pound former All-Big Sky Conference selection. In his lone season of football, he caught 29 passes for 453 yards and... (Otto Greule Jr, Getty Images)

As the Ravens kick off the NFL regular season tonight against the Denver Broncos in a rematch of last year's AFC divisional-round playoff game, here's Baltimore Sun reporter Aaron Wilson's checklist of key areas and people to watch.